RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University's beach volleyball team split its two matches on a rain-soaked Saturday at home to close out the ASUN North Challenge.

The Colonels started the day falling to North Alabama, 4-1, before bouncing back to secure a Senior Day sweep of Central Arkansas, 5-0.

"These seniors have meant so much to this program, it's hard to put into words what they have done for me and this program," said head coach Jeff Patton following the win over UCA. "Getting a 5-0 win on their senior day is just a testament to who they are, and they went out and earned it. No matter if its 20 degrees outside or a monsoon like today they go out and get it. There were so many smiles even with the weather, and I'm just so proud of them."

Against the Sugar Bears, the Colonels took the second and fourth flight thanks to gutsy performances by the pairs of Rachel Mueller and Gabriella Armitage and EK Lonergan and Reagan Sandlin as both pairs secured three set wins.

After dropping their first set at the 2's, senior Mueller and Armitage came out with a vengeance and took the next two to win 16-21, 21-15, 15-8.

Not long after Lonergan and Sandlin secured their win as the two seniors took their match at the 4's, 21-14, 18-21, 15-9.

It was all EKU in the odd flights starting at the 5's as senior Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni took both of the first two sets, 21-15.

At the 3's the dynamic duo of senior Madalyn Richardson & Riley Cutler got to work with a commanding win, 21-15, 21-14.

Closing out the win at the 1's senior Paityn Walker and Molly Shomock took both sets in a back-and-forth battle, 21-19, 21-18.

"I'm feeling nothing but joy today," said Walker. "Today I'm celebrating the sport I fell in love with, and for Senior Day to end the way it did I couldn't ask for anything better. Getting the win today I couldn't help but just smile, I'm just super grateful for my teammates, coaches, and everyone here at EKU."

The Colonels return to action at home next Tuesday, April 8 for matches against Morehead State and Tusculum.
 
EKU 5, Central Arkansas 0

#	FLIGHTS	1	2	3
1	Paityn Walker and Molly Shomock (EKU) def. Anna Linskey and Riley Melton (UCA)	21-19	21-18
2	Rachel Mueller and Gabriella Armitage (EKU) def. Madelyn White and Kenzie Foley (UCA)	16-21	21-15	15-8
3	Madalyn Richardson and Riley Cutler (EKU) def. Ella Layzell and Katie Atkinson (UCA)	21-15	21-14
4	EK Lonergan and Reagan Sandlin (EKU) def. Reegan Siewert and Audrey Cathcart (UCA)	21-14	18-21	15-9
5	Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU) def. Ella Weilert and Liliana Irizary (UCA)	21-15	21-15

North Alabama 4, EKU 1

#	FLIGHTS	1	2	3
1	Selma Robinson and Katy Floyd (UNA) def. Paityn Walker and Molly Shomock (EKU)	27-25	21-15
2	Paige Griner and Ryenne Gepford (UNA) def. Rachel Mueller and Gabriella Armitage (EKU)	21-17	25-27	15-10
3	Madalyn Richardson and Riley Cutler (EKU) def. Aurora Bibolotti and Pien Grooters (UNA)	21-16	21-19
4	Hailey Benesz and Kaitlyn Holbrook (UNA) def. Natalie Taggart and Reagan Sandlin (EKU)	21-16	21-15
5	Lucy Wedding and Abby Robertson (UNA) def. Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU)	21-17	11-21	15-11